What is a reasonable suspicion checklist?

Asked by: Dr. Meaghan Grimes DDS  |  Last update: February 2, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (4 votes)

A reasonable suspicion checklist helps supervisors document specific, observable signs of potential drug or alcohol impairment, focusing on Appearance, Behavior, Speech, and Body Odor (like slurred words, unsteady walking, bloodshot eyes, chemical smells). It's used to build objective evidence, not just a hunch, leading to potential drug/alcohol testing or removal from safety-sensitive duties, following company policy and ensuring safety first, according to sources from the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP).

What qualifies as reasonable suspicion?

Reasonable suspicion is a standard used in criminal procedure to assess the legality of a police officer's decision to stop or search an individual. Reasonable suspicion requires specific, articulable facts that would lead a reasonable officer to believe that criminal activity is occurring.

What is a reasonable suspicion test?

Triggers for reasonable suspicion testing are based on specific observations by supervisors. These include changes in appearance, behavior, speech, and body odor that suggest impairment. It's crucial to remember that these observations alone do not confirm substance abuse and could have other explanations.

What are some of the things you can look for when trying to determine reasonable suspicion for alcohol misuse?

Reasonable Suspicion

  • The odor of alcohol or a controlled substance on the breath.
  • Unsteady gait.
  • Slurred speech.
  • Difficulty conversing or understanding.
  • Dilated or pinpoint pupils.
  • Red or glassy eyes.
  • Hyperactivity or drowsiness.
  • Confusion.

What is reasonable suspicion DOT criteria?

§ 382.307 Reasonable suspicion testing.

The employer's determination that reasonable suspicion exists to require the driver to undergo a controlled substances test must be based on specific, contemporaneous, articulable observations concerning the appearance, behavior, speech or body odors of the driver.

Reasonable Suspicion - Prosecutor Explains

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Which situations would make someone fall under reasonable suspicion testing?

Reasonable suspicion in the workplace is when there is a strong belief, including objective evidence, that an employee might be using drugs or alcohol on the job. Reasonable suspicion at work usually stems off clear signs such as slurred speech, erratic behavior or the smell of alcohol.

Who needs RST certification?

Aviation: Those overseeing pilots and ground crew in aviation require the RST Certificate to ensure the safety of passengers and crew by recognizing impairment. Rail: Managers of train engineers and rail workers need the RST Certificate to identify impairment and ensure rail safety.

What are the 4 questions for alcohol screening?

A 4-question alcohol test typically refers to the CAGE questionnaire, a quick screening tool for alcohol misuse, asking: 1. Cut down (ever felt you should?); 2. Annoyed (by criticism of drinking?); 3. Guilty (feeling guilty about drinking?); 4. Eye-opener (need a morning drink?); with a score of 2 or more 'yes' answers suggesting a potential problem needing further assessment.
 

What are the 5 A's of alcoholism?

The 5A approach for alcohol (and other substance use) is a clinical framework for healthcare providers: Ask about use, Advise to cut down/quit, Assess readiness to change, Assist with a plan, and Arrange follow-up, aiming to guide patients toward behavioral change through structured, non-judgmental conversations and support. This evidence-based model, adapted from smoking cessation guidelines, helps structure consultations and tailor interventions based on the patient's willingness to change. 

What are the three sobriety tests?

Field Sobriety Tests refer to standardized tests to initially assess and determine intoxication, namely: the eye test (horizontal gaze nystagmus), the walk-and-turn and the one-leg stand. i.

Is probable cause 51%?

Some courts and scholars have suggested probable cause could, in some circumstances, allow for a fact to be established as true to a standard of less than 51%, but as of August 2019, the United States Supreme Court has never ruled that the quantification of probable cause is anything less than 51%.

How to prove an employee is drinking on the job?

A manager document his or her observations of the employee regarding behavior, slurred speech or odor, perhaps with one or two witnesses.

What is an example of the difference between probable cause and reasonable suspicion?

Reasonable suspicion: brief stop and frisk for weapons or protective sweep. Probable cause: full custodial arrest and search incident to arrest and search of the car (including closed containers).

How to handle reasonable suspicion?

  1. Step 1: Identifying employee. ...
  2. Step 2: Observations by supervisory personnel. ...
  3. Step 3: Removing from safety sensitive areas. ...
  4. Step 4: Observations by another person. ...
  5. Step 5: Documenting observations. ...
  6. Step 6: Assessing situation. ...
  7. Step 7: Meeting with employee. ...
  8. Step 8: Preparing transportation.

Is suspecting someone of drugs enough to search a house?

Probable cause is a higher standard than “reasonable suspicion” and requires more concrete evidence that a crime has been committed. The officer's belief must be more than a guess and be based on specific, articulable facts that make it more likely than not that a crime has occurred and evidence will be found.

Is someone calling the cops on you a reasonable suspicion?

Brief Synopsis: A 911 call may constitute reasonable suspicion for police to detain an individual if the caller describes the totality of the circumstances such that there is sufficient reliability to what the caller describes and information of a serious enough crime to justify a law enforcement stop or detention.

What is the 1/2/3 rule for drinking?

The 1-2-3 rule for drinking is a moderation guideline: 1 drink per hour, no more than 2 drinks per occasion, and no more than 3 drinks total in a day, with some variations adding at least 3 alcohol-free days per week; it helps pace consumption, prevents binge drinking, and supports healthier habits by limiting intake to align with liver processing and official health advice.
 

What kind of people are prone to alcoholism?

Depression and other mental health problems.

It's common for people with a mental health disorder such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder to have problems with alcohol or other substances.

What is the 25 question alcohol test?

The MAST quiz asks 25 yes-or-no questions related to past drinking and alcohol-related incidents. Each response is awarded a certain number of points, which are tallied up at the end to give you a MAST score.

How many drinks a week is normal?

Here are the recommended drink limits: One standard drink is equivalent to: Female: No more than 1 drink in a single day and no more than 7 drinks per week. Male: No more than 2 drinks in a single day and no more than 14 drinks per week.

Is a BAC of .37 high?

BAC 0.30% to 0.40%: In this percentage range, you'll likely have alcohol poisoning, a potentially life-threatening condition, and experience loss of consciousness. BAC Over 0.40%: This is a potentially fatal blood alcohol level. You're at risk of coma and death from respiratory arrest (absence of breathing).

What is reasonable suspicion DOT test?

One of the most important aspects of this safety is the Department of Transportation (DOT) reasonable suspicion testing. This process helps identify drivers who might be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, making sure they don't pose a risk to themselves or others and cause a catastrophic truck accident.

How far back does a DOT alcohol test go?

Alcohol can be detected in a urine sample between one and three days. Prescription medications can be detected for up to three days as well. The THC in marijuana remains in the body for between three and seven days if only ingested occasionally. However, frequent users can test positive for up to three months!

What are three examples of refusals that can occur during the testing process?

Some examples of failure to cooperate are when the employee:

  • Refuses to empty pockets when directed.
  • Behaves in a confrontational manner that disrupts the collection process.
  • Refuses to remove hat, coat, gloves, coveralls when directed, or.
  • Fails to wash hands when directed.